75th. Match 2005 Part 1 - The start and outward leg 

by Mike Wignall - Webmaster [thamesmatch "at" yahoo.co.uk]

By the morning of the Match on Sat. July 16 ten barges were berthed on the Port Of London Authority's (PLA) Lighter No. 3, moored off Bawley Bay, in Gravesend Reach. A forest of mast and spars was the result, with Red Ensigns prominent on mizzen sprits. The barges were: Adieu (1929), Ardwina (1909), Decima (1898), Greta (1892), Lady Daphne (1923), Marjorie (1902), May (1891), Reminder (1929), Repertor (1924) and Wyvenhoe (1898).  Two other competitors - Edme (1898) and Xylonite (1926) were anchored, off the Kent shore, a little down river. Finally, Thistle (1895), on charter as a Match "follower" with spectators on board was berthed alongside Tilbury, across the river.

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Capt. Mick Lungley, Master of the Wyvenhoe for the Match, on board the barge on the morning, taking the air and looking at the competitors.  By the end of the day he would be awarded the "Captain R. D. Duke Cup" - reserved for the Master of the barge making the fastest start.

Three crew members of May [Master - Gerald Gadd] preparing her bowsprit jib and jib topsail. Two of them are out on the bowsprit itself. St. George's Church can be seen on the Gravesend skyline, where the native North American Princess Pocahontas (1595-1617), who saved the life of Captain John Smith, leader of the British Colony of Virginia, is buried. The white building in front of it is the Three Daws pub, which plays a key part in the post match evening events, which is  explained in Part 3.

Photo: A. Wignall 2005

Looking astern from the Lady Daphne, back up river - only six barges remain berthed on Lighter No.3. They are a mix of Bowsprit and Staysail Class competitors. The barges entered in the Coasting Class have already slipped as they are the first of the three classes to begin the Match in the Lower Hope - their starting gun being at 1030. On the right is MV Avante [Andrew Bain - L. Bain & Co. Ltd] which has provides an early morning ferry service from the Royal Terrace Pier for the barge crews and barge guests to get to their barges and Match Committee members to get to their vessels. 

A member of Lady Daphne's race crew heaving in on the topmast halliard in order to raise the topsail, as the barge heads down river past Denton, on the Kent shore.

The Mate is setting up the main sheet block and traveller, as the Lady Daphne heads downriver towards Lower Hope Reach. Ardwina, with her topsail set,  is on her port bow.  

Although the working rigging controlling Lady Daphne's topmast headstick and hoop rings had been greased prior to the Match there was a problem in getting the topsail fully set. The Mate decided that some personal attention was needed.   Here he is climbing the starboard ratlines on his way up to the doubling, as the barge continues to head down river. 

An extra head for heights needed for stage 2 - the climb up the topmast itself, above the doubling in order to sort out the problem. Mere mortals with normal nerves need not apply!   

Setting the staysail - an unusual view through the forestay.  

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Repertor [left] has just gone about and is on a starboard tack back up river to burn up time before reversing tack, and heading down river again - hopefully to end up as close as possible to the start line just as the gun sounds for the Staysail Class. To her right is the restored and privately owned tug MV Touchstone, which marks the Essex end to the start line. It is temporarily berthed on the black PLA lighter, off the Mucking shore, Essex. Thistle, under power [no sails set] is to the right, where she has positioned herself advantageously for her charter passengers to watch the barges crossing the line.

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

On board the MV Touchstone are the all important signal guns and their crew - Dave Thompson and his assistant. These were kindly provided, as in past years, by the Gravesend Sailing Club. The size of the cannon provides little indication of the noise they generate when fired - it is substantial.  The reason for two guns being ready to fire is that if one mis-fires the backup can be fired, so providing the needed signal - without any delay, at the appropriate time. 

Lady Daphne having crossed the start line is in Sea Reach, heading down river and competing against Ardwina and Reminder in the Coasting Class. At this stage she has a substantial lead, however, motive power is coming from the end of the ebb tide rather than the sails. These are contributing little due to the light airs being experienced.  The fleet can be seen astern. Behind them to the right is the shoreline of Thames Haven (Shellhaven) on the Essex coast. 

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Photo: J. Hargreaves

Two crew members of the Adieu, which is competing in the Bowsprit Class, are out on her bowsprit working on her jib topsail. The barge is heading down river, towards the Outer Mark and is sailing close to the Essex shore. Holehaven Point is just appearing at the extreme right in the photograph, with the roof of the Lobster Smack pub, which is on the western end of Canvey Island, just visible.  

Lady Daphne has worked her way down river to Sea Reach, and is being observed by the motor cruiser Elsinor Of Medway, which is kindly provided by Bob Pink, the owner, each year. It is  carrying the Match Committee Chairman Michael Everard, the Prize Giver Dan Houston [Editor of Classic Boat magazine] and some members of the Match Committee.  They are off the barge's starboard bow and Grain Power Station, Kent, can be seen on the horizon behind them, indicating the entrance to the River Medway. 

Photo: M. Wignall 2005

Photo: J. Hargreaves 2005